Easter Monday, April 21

Today’s Grace

I ask for the grace to encounter the risen Jesus, to embrace him and be embraced by him.

Scripture/Reading

From Pope Francis’ homily at the 2013 Easter Vigil, held in St. Peter’s Basilica:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Newness often makes us fearful, including the newness which God brings us, the newness which God asks of us. We are like the Apostles in the Gospel: often we would prefer to hold on to our own security, to stand in front of a tomb, to think about someone who has died, someone who ultimately lives on only as a memory, like the great historical figures from the past. We are afraid of God’s surprises. Dear brothers and sisters, we are afraid of God’s surprises! He always surprises us! The Lord is like that.

Dear brothers and sisters, let us not be closed to the newness that God wants to bring into our lives! Are we often weary, disheartened and sad? Do we feel weighed down by our sins? Do we think that we won’t be able to cope? Let us not close our hearts, let us not lose confidence, let us never give up: there are no situations which God cannot change, there is no sin which he cannot forgive if only we open ourselves to him.

Jesus no longer belongs to the past, but lives in the present and is projected towards the future; Jesus is the everlasting "today" of God. This is how the newness of God appears to the women, the disciples and all of us: as victory over sin, evil and death, over everything that crushes life and makes it seem less human. And this is a message meant for me and for you dear sister, for you dear brother. How often does Love have to tell us: Why do you look for the living among the dead? Our daily problems and worries can wrap us up in ourselves, in sadness and bitterness ... and that is where death is. That is not the place to look for the One who is alive!

Reflection Questions

I think of a time when a close friend or family member shared with me some wonderful news — falling in love, having a baby, getting a job, being declared cancer-free, etc. What was it like to listen, ask questions, sit together in silent joy and gratitude, break out some wine and celebrate? Now the risen Jesus enters and shares his story of victory with me? How do we share and celebrate his good news?

Reflection

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence;
Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.

Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope. Alleluia.

You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.

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